Secrets Puerto Los Cabos (the newest resort near San Jose del Cabo opened December 2013) and the incentive community of Los Cabos, Mexico played host to theIncentive Research Foundation's (IRF) Invitational over the period May 28-June 1, 2014.  The event consisted of four days of networking, education and destination showcase experiences that foster new and solidify existing relationships with over 170 top buyer/decision-makers from incentive companies and corporations plus the top supplier organizations. (Click to enlarge Images)

The annual event is the IRF's most important annual fundraising activity for research surrounding motivation and incentives. Each year The IRF provides multiple education sessions that highlight recent IRF research and provide actionable, usable data on incentives and motivation. Attendees also have the opportunity to relate the research to their own experiences and practices through roundtable discussions.

This years event, the 21st, continued the tradition of delivering a proven and valuable business networking event which attracted the top decision makers in the incentive and motivation industry. Year after year The Annual Incentive Invitational has provided to the sponsor organizations tangible new leads and business developed from the connections made through the senior decision makers who attend.

This year's location,  Los Cabos, Mexico,  proved to be a popular choice for the event, here, where the Sea of Cortés meets the Pacific, there is something for everyone. Big game fishing, world-class golf, scuba diving, snorkeling and kayaking quiet coves and inlets, taking to the outback on ATVs, bikes and horseback, relaxing and rejuvenating in high-end spas and luxury resorts, or dancing 'til dawn.

For the attendees, the Invitational provided direct access for sponsors to over 170 of the most influential senior level Corporate and Incentive industry buyers/decision makers in the world with a better than one to one ratio. And for buyers, the opportunity to meet with the leading industry travel suppliers and enjoy a truly extraordinary destination.

The three night program (four for higher level sponsors and all buyer guests) based at the spectacular new Secrets Puerto Los Cabos which opening December 2013 included daily networking breakfasts, lunches, receptions and dinners, a full day of cutting-edge educational sessions presented by the IRF, and much more.

A number of destination Lifestyle Activity Options where available to the attendees, besides golf on two of the areas superb courses a selection of exceptional non-golfer lifestyle activities highlighting the uniqueness of Los Cabos and surrounding areas where available. Some of the options included exploring historical locations and a dedicated CSR program to benefit the local community.

The IRF event is it's most important fund raiser and to this end many suppliers had generously donated an Incredible selection of worldwide trips, products and services offered exclusively only to this audience and attendees where able to participate in the most exciting and extensive live and silent auction held for Incentive professionals.  By end of the auction the IRF indicated that they had raised a record sum for the organization.

 

This was my fifth year of attending the event and I have found it to be a most agreeable and enjoyable as well as profitable way to network with clients and colleagues, not to mention the benefits obtained from the educational events.  I was disappointed that none of my bids enabled me to win even one of the superb offerings in the two auctions, the bids where just to rich for my wallet, however, the good news was it was great for the IRF fundraiser.

 

Just a few words about the new Secrets resort... I like the property, its has a low profile as apposed to so many of these type of resorts that look and feel like a condominium.  That said it does cover a lot of ground and depending on where your room is located there can be a lot of walking to get around the facility.  The resort has all the amenities one has come to expect of such places, all very tastefully done and very much in the local style.

 

It appeared that all the accommodation looked out over the pool, across some part of the golf course to a somewhat distant view of the ocean. The rooms themselves where generous in size with large bathrooms each with a hot tub and separate shower, tv and all the usual amenities where supplied.

 

Dining is open seating at all the restaurants, with one closing in rotation each night.  Guests have a choice of various ethnic restaurants and a buffet restaurant / cafe which appeared to be open almost all day.  My one comment about the dining experience would be that that the menus did not appear to change with each restaurant offer the same choices every day apart from sometime the fish of the day would be different.  However, if you're only staying for one week and try all the restaurants over the time of your stay, it probably would not be noticeable even.  Being an all-inclusive resorts, most drinks are complimentary, with decent wine being served in the different dining venues.  However, the choice of premium wines was somewhat limited and expensive in my opinion.

 

I enjoyed my stay at the resort, it is located some distance away from the activities you might want to sample off-property and with no shuttle being offered even a ride up the hill to the golf course involves calling a cab for the journey each way.  To use taxi's to travel around the area would be expensive and visitors should consider a rental car if they plan on being adventurous.